Taking to the stage for 'Dancing Like the Stars'

BANGOR For those who didn't know (or simply haven't been paying attention), I have spent the past two-plus months preparing to participate in 'Dancing Like the Stars,' a fundraiser for the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Over these past weeks, I and seven others have been paired up with dance coaches from Chuck and Sue McKay's Back Door Dance Studio, learning to dance and raising money for this very good cause.

Raising money with a rumba

I have never been one to fear making a fool of myself in front of others. I have been on plenty of stages in my time - I've performed with local companies such as Penobscot Theatre and Ten Bucks Theatre and many others, not to mention my time with The Focus Group so I've already said and done all kinds of things to embarrass myself and my family.

Now, however, I have the opportunity to embarrass myself in a whole new way and for a great cause.

BANGOR - Thousands of people gathered for the 16th annual Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure on the Bangor waterfront last Sunday. Cancer survivors, their friends and even complete strangers who wanted to help support the efforts to find a cure for the deadly disease walked or ran in unison along the race route all donning the designated color for breast cancer awareness - pink.

"This is the most phenomenal event I've ever participated in," said Madelene Desmond of Presque Isle. "I'm a survivor. My sister-in-law is battling it right now and I lost my mom to breast cancer."